Wheel

ABSTRACT

Wheel, in particular, for a motor vehicle with a rim and a spider, where a bolted connection is provided in the area of transition from the rim to the spider, in which a bolt head or a nut on the outside acts in conjunction with a contact surface on the spider, where the bolted connection includes a spacer sleeve which, with one of its sides, acts in conjunction with the bolt head or the nut and, with its other side, with the contact surface in such a way that the bolt head or the nut projects above the outer surface of the spider.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel, in particular for a motorvehicle, with a rim and a spider, where a bolted connection is providedin the area of the transition from the rim to the spider, in which abolt head or a nut on the outside acts in combination with a contactsurface on the spider.

[0002] Inside and outside here are understood to mean the sides of thewheel which they assume in the installed position on the vehicle.

[0003] Bolted connections of this type are frequently provided in thecase of wheels for automobiles. For example, in the case of two-piecewheels, the rim and the spider are bolted together. In the case ofthree-piece wheels, the rim itself is in two parts, and both parts areattached to the spider with a single bolted connection.

[0004] In addition, even in the case of single-piece wheels, a boltedconnection is frequently provided which does not fulfil any functionalpurpose, but which lends the wheel the stylish look of a more expensive,multi-piece wheel.

[0005] For example, a three-piece wheel is known from U.S. Pat. No.4,770,220 in which the three parts of the wheel are connected by a bolt.

[0006] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,920 describes a boltedconnection for a multi-piece wheel, where a threaded bolt is firstpressed into the wheel and the bolted connection is then made by meansof a nut which is integrally joined to a flange and an extension piece.

[0007] Furthermore, a bolted connection for a three-piece wheel is knownfrom DE-OS 23 61 066.

[0008] All these wheels have a spider formed as a plane surface, atleast in the area of the bolted connection, where the outer edge of thespider, that is the area of the bolted connection, forms a surfaceperpendicular to the axis of the wheel.

[0009] Milling a cutout into the spider is also known, so that a bolthead or a nut in the tightened position is recessed with respect to thewheel surface. The disadvantage to this is that these parts of the wheelare particularly prone to becoming dirty because of the recessed contactsurface, and the result is an unattractive visual effect from the wheel,which frequently serves as a focal design point on the vehicle,particularly, as in the case of bolted connections using a hexagon heador a 12-point head for the bolt or the nut, the cavities in the spiderhave to be selected considerably larger than the bolt head or the nut,in order to provide adequate access for the tool. In these cases, thearea in particular between the bolt head (nut) and the base of thespider becomes dirty.

[0010] In as much as provision is made for a hexagon socket head, thecavity can be essentially selected exactly the same size as the bolthead, or the nut; the result is still an unattractive build-up of dirtin the area of the hexagon socket head, and besides that, hexagon sockethead bolts have an awkward look, such as is often not desirable onexpensive styled wheels.

[0011] This problem has since been partly solved by integrally castingin shoulders in the area of the bolted connection, which have a surfacerunning perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wheel.

[0012] The integral forming of the shoulders at the time of the castingprocess for the spider represents considerable trouble and expense fromthe manufacturing standpoint. Beyond that, these shoulders give thewheel a crude appearance because of their size, since they have to becarried over into the spider using gradual transitions.

SUMMARY

[0013] The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a wheelwith a bolted connection in the area between the rim and the spider, inwhich first of all dirt is prevented from collecting in the area of thebolted connection as far as possible, and in addition, the simplestpossible production is ensured together with appealing visual qualities.At the same time, the wheel designer should have the greatest possiblelatitude at his disposal for the wheel design.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention in that thebolted connection comprises a spacer sleeve, which with one side acts inconjunction with the bolt head or the nut, and with the other side, withthe contact surface (abuts against it) in such a way that the bolt heador the nut projects above the outer surface of the spider.

[0015] By using a spacer sleeve between the contact surface and theunderside of the bolt head or the nut, the distance between the nut(bolt head) and the contact surface can be increased far enough so thatthe bolt head no longer lies directly on the contact surface. By havingthe bolt head or the nut project above the surface of the spider, toolscan gain access to the bolt head (nut) with exceptional ease, inparticular, since the bolt head is not in direct contact with thesurface of the spider. Scratching the surface when loosening ortightening the bolt is thus avoided. In addition, the automobile isgiven a new unique styling look.

[0016] The invention is particularly advantageous in the case of curvedor angled spiders or whose surfaces, at least in the area of the boltedconnection, i.e., essentially in the area of the outer periphery of thespider, are curved or run at an angle. In the case of wheels on whichthe forward edge of the spider in cross section is curved in the area ofthe bolted connection, or runs at an angle to the perpendicular to thewheel rim axis, that is to say, it forms a cone, the problem alwaysarises that a flat contact surface running perpendicular to the wheelaxis has to be created for the bolted connection. By providing a spacersleeve, the contact surface can be created in the spider surface bysimple milling. At the same time, bolts which are easier to clean andhave a visually more appealing outer contour can be used, where thecontact surface can be formed in such a way that only a narrow gapremains between the spacer sleeve and the spider in the area of thespacer sleeve jacket, so that essentially no dirt collects inhard-to-clean areas.

[0017] Furthermore, as a result it is no longer necessary to castintegral shoulders on the spider in order to create a contact surfacewhich simultaneously allows access to the bolt or nut with a tool.

[0018] In accordance with a first embodiment it can be provided that incross section the outer edge of the spider is set back in the directionof the inside of the wheel in the area of the bolted connection, withrespect to the area of the wheel axis of the spider. Inside of the wheeland outside of the wheel means here the side when it is in its operatingposition, i.e. facing towards the vehicle and facing away from thevehicle. As a result, a particularly pleasing wheel exterior isachieved. The spider then has an essentially conical form, where thelateral face of the cone can be straight or curved. However, a “funnelshape” for the outer surface is also conceivable, i.e., a concave shapefor the spider when viewed from the outer side.

[0019] In particular, it can also be provided that the spacer sleeve isan integral part of the bolted connection. That is to say, the boltedconnection, or a part of the bolted connection, for example, the bolt ora nut, and the spacer sleeve can be joined to form a single part, wherethe result is a uniquely configured shape for the bolt head or the nut,which creates an especially attractive stylish appearance.

[0020] The spacer sleeve can have both a circular as well as a polygonalcross section, for example, rectangular or hexagonal where the crosssection is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be provided that the bolt head or the nut hasa non-cylindrical outer contour, in particular a hexagonal or 12-pointshape on its outer periphery or else an internal contour, in particulara hexagonal socket shape. Other shapes are possible for the nuts or thebolt heads.

[0022] The invention relates in addition to a wheel with a rim and aspider, in particular for a motor vehicle, where a bolted connection isprovided in the area of the transition from the rim to the spider, inwhich a bolt head or a nut abuts on the outside against a contactsurface on the spider, where the bolted connection comprises a spacersleeve integrally attached to the bolt head or the nut, which with oneof its sides acts in conjunction with the bolt head or the nut and withits other side with the contact surface in such a way that the bolt heador the nut projects above the outer surface of the spider and where thebolt head or the nut and the spacer sleeve do not have any external orinternal flats and the bolted connection includes an anti-rotationelement for tightening the bolted connection.

[0023] An embodiment of this kind for the nut or the bolt head, withoutany external or internal flats whatever, where the bolt head can beessentially formed as a cylinder, firstly gives special emphasis to theappearance, secondly the build-up of dirt can be further reduced.Finally, a design of this kind offers the advantage that with the wheelmounted to the vehicle no surfaces are provided from the outside to gaina purchase and loosen the bolted connection. Further theft protection isthereby achieved. Finally the design is particularly attractive becausethe spacer sleeve and bolt head or nut appear to be cast in one piece.

[0024] In order to ensure that the bolted connection is tightened,without having to apply counterpressure at the bolt head or the nut orthe spacer sleeve which have no external or internal flats, the boltedconnection has an anti-rotation element. This anti-rotation element mustbe designed so that it can withstand normal tightening torque. It islocated on the side of the bolted connection which also includes thespacer sleeve.

[0025] It can be provided here that bolt head or nut and spacer sleeveare realized as cylindrical sections with different diameters, or thatthe part of the bolted connection visible on the outside can havedifferent rotationally symmetrical form without flats, as for example, asmaller cylinder on top of a larger cylinder, however a conicallytapering form can also be provided. The bolt head (nut) and/or thespacer sleeve can, for example, be tapered in addition, where thetransition in the case of all shapes can be formed with or without astep. The transitions can be rounded.

[0026] The bolted connection can be formed in different ways. It can beprovided that the bolted connection consists of a threaded rod and twonuts. However, it can also be provided that one of the nuts is connectedin one piece to the threaded rod as a bolt head and forms a bolt. Thethreaded rod can be threaded over its entire length, but also only insections.

[0027] A drilled passage, which can be furnished with or without athread, can be provided for the bolted connection, where a boltedconnection is made on the inside of the wheel by means of an additionalnut, or else a bolt can be pushed through from the inside to the outsideor inserted from the outside to the inside through the wheel rim.

[0028] Alternatively the bolted connection can also be formed solely bymeans of a threaded rod with an integrally attached bolt head, where thebolted connection is made in a threaded blind hole in the spider or therim. The bolted connection without flats is not feasible for this typeof threaded connection, since it would not be possible to tighten thebolted connection if a nut or bolt head without flats were provided.

[0029] A surface with knurling or a coefficient of friction increased inanother way can be provided as the anti-rotational element. Inparticular, it can be provided that the spacer sleeve has a surface withan increased coefficient of friction at least in sections.

[0030] In particular it can be provided that the contact surface for thebolted connection is recessed with respect to the outer surface of thespider. A certain recess will always be necessary, at least in thosecases in which the spider has a curved or angled outer surface, in orderto ensure a level contact surface for the spacer sleeve and thereby thebolt or nut. The recess can be formed to different depths, where thedistance by which the bolt extends above the surface of the spider canbe determined through the height of the spacer sleeve.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the contact surface and thusthe recess provided in the spider to seat the bolted connectionessentially matches the dimensions of the spacer sleeve. This ensuresthat no surfaces are created at the base of the recess which aredifficult to reach with cleaners.

[0032] The wheel can be formed in two or three parts, and the boltedconnection can also represent a purely decorative item in the case of aone-piece wheel. A blind hole into which a thread has been cut matchingthe bolt thread can be provided in the rim for the bolted connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention is explained in greater detail below using thedrawing in which:

[0034]FIG. 1 shows a first wheel partially in section; and

[0035]FIG. 2 shows a second wheel partially in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036]FIG. 1 shows a two-part wheel, which is identified in its totalityas 10. The wheel consists of a rim 12 and a spider 14, which has asurface 16 curved towards the outside. The curvature of the surface 16increases from the longitudinal wheel axis 17, the center of the wheel,towards the bolted connection 18, the edge of the spider 14. Both partsof the wheel 14 and 12 are attached to one another by means of athreaded connection 18. The threaded connection 18 is made up of a bolt20, which is screwed into a thread 22 in the spider 14 and in the rim12. A blind drilled hole 24 is provided for this in the rim 12. Thespider 14 has a drilled passage.

[0037] Located concentrically around the bolt 20 is a spacer sleeve 26,which with one of its sides abuts against the bolt head 30, which has anexternal non-cylindrical contour, and with its other side against acontact surface 32 of the spider 14 which is recessed with respect tothe surface 16 of the spider 14. A contact surface 32 is therebyprovided, running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wheel17. The bolt head 30 and a part of the spacer sleeve 26 project abovethe surface 16 of the spider. The bolt head 30 in this case has anespecially attractive external 12-point form.

[0038] The accessibility of the bolt head 30 is improved as a result ofthis design, and only a small gap 34 between the spacer sleeve 26 andthe recess 36 in the spider 14 is necessary, so that no corners orangles are created in which dirt can accumulate. At the same time, it isvery simple to apply a tool to the bolt head 30.

[0039] The dotted line and the dot-dash line in each case show anadditional possible continuation of the surface 16 of the spider 14.

[0040]FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a wheel 10′ according tothe present invention. The wheel 10 here is constructed in three piecesand consists of a spider 14 and a two-piece rim 12 a and 12 b. The threeparts are joined to one another by means of a bolted connection 18. Adrilled passage extends through all three parts, where a recess 36 isprovided in the area of the outer surface 16 of the spider 14, to seatthe nut 31. Here too the surface 16 of the spider 14 is curved, wherethe curvature runs in the direction of the inside of the wheel rim 12 a,12 b. The bottom of the recess 36 forms the contact surface 32 for thespacer sleeve 26. The bolted connection 18 is secured by a second nut38. The nut 38 is located on the inside of the wheel 10′.

[0041] The spacer sleeve 26 is an integral part of the nut 31, i.e., itis attached to the nut 31 as one piece. The nut 31 blends smoothly intothe spacer sleeve 26. The nut 31 and the spacer sleeve 26 have noexternal or internal flats. They consist in each case of a cylindricalbody, where the two cylindrical bodies have different diameters and areattached to each other in such a way that the two center axes areidentical. The transition is given an attractive rounded shape.

[0042] The embodiment without flats is particularly advantageous sinceno opportunity exists for obtaining any purchase with a wrench, forexample, from the outside of the wheel rim. Since it is not possible toapply counterpressure when tightening the bolted connection 18 at thenut 31 or the spacer sleeve 26, the spacer sleeve 26 has a surface 40with an increased coefficient of friction, which secures the boltedconnection 18 against turning in the same direction when it is beingtightened. At an assumed torque of 15 Nm, a plastic surface, forexample, is sufficient or else, in particular, knurling is used on thespacer sleeve material, in particular aluminum or an alloy thereof.

[0043] The gap between the spacer sleeve 26 and the recess 36 is in turnso small that no dirt-trapping angles are formed, and the wheel rimsurface 16 is easy to clean.

[0044] The modular construction of the wheel 10 and 10′ has theadvantage that the rim 12, using the same spider 14, can easily be madewider or narrower.

What is claimed is:
 1. Wheel in particular for a motor vehicle with arim (12) and a spider (14), where in the area of the transition from therim (12) to the spider (14) a bolted connection (18) is provided, inwhich a bolt head (30) or a nut (31) on the outside act in conjunctionwith a contact surface (32) of the spider (14), where the boltedconnection (18) comprises a spacer sleeve (39) which with one of itssides acts in conjunction with the bolt head (30) or the nut (31) andwith its other side with the contact surface (32) in such a way that thebolt head (30) or the nut (31) projects above the outer surface (16) ofthe spider (14).
 2. Wheel in accordance with claim 1, wherein theoutward facing edge (16) of the spider (14), at least in the area of thebolted connection, is curved in cross section or runs at an angle to theperpendicular on the wheel axis (17).
 3. Wheel in accordance with claim2, wherein the outer edge (16) of the spider (14) in cross section isset back in the direction of the inside of the wheel in the area of thebolted connection (18), with respect to the area of the wheel axis (17)of the spider (14).
 4. Wheel in accordance with claim 1 through 3,wherein the spacer sleeve (26) is an integral part of the bolt head (30)or of the nut (31).
 5. Wheel in accordance with one or more of thepreceding claims, wherein the bolt head (30) or the nut (31) and/or thespacer sleeve (26) has a external contour, in particular a hexagon shapeor 12-point shape or an internal contour, in particular a hexagon socketshape.
 6. Wheel, in particular in accordance with one of the precedingclaims, with a rim (12) and a spider, wherein in the area of thetransition from rim (12) to spider (14) a bolted connection (18) isprovided, in which a bolt head (30) or a nut (31) on the outside acts inconjunction with a contact surface (32) on the spider (14), wherein thebolted connection (18) comprises a spacer sleeve (26) integral with thebolt head (30) or the nut (31), which with one side acts in conjunctionwith the bolt head (3) or the nut (31) and with its other side with thecontact surface (32) in such a way that the bolt head (30) or the nut(31) projects above the outer surface of the spider (14) and wherein thebolt head (30) or the nut (31) and the spacer sleeve (26) have noexternal or internal flats, and the bolted connection (18) has ananti-rotation element for tightening the bolted connection (18). 7.Wheel in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, whereinthe bolted connection consists of a bolt with a bolt head and threadedrod connected to it as one piece and a nut, and the bolt extends fromthe inside to the outside through the wheel (10).
 8. Wheel in accordancewith one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bolted connection(18) consists of a threaded rod and two nuts (31, 38).
 9. Wheel inaccordance with one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the boltedconnection (18) consists of a bolt (20) with a bolt head (30) andthreaded rod connected to it as one piece as well as a nut, and the boltextends from the outside to the inside through the wheel (10).
 10. Wheelin accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, wherein asurface with an increased coefficient of resistance, in particularknurling or plastic coating, is provided as an anti-rotation element.11. Wheel in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims,wherein the spider (14) has a recess (36) with a contact surface (32)for the bolted connection (18), where the contact surface (32) is setback with respect to the outer surface (16) of the spider (14). 12.Wheel in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, whereinthe recess (36) essentially matches the dimensions of the cross sectionof the spacer sleeve (26).
 13. Wheel in accordance with one or more ofthe preceding claims, wherein the wheel (10) is two-piece orthree-piece.
 14. Wheel in accordance with one or more of the precedingclaims, characterized in that the wheel is one-piece.